Bayern Munich reportedly rejected a bid from Liverpool for forward Thomas Muller last month, which had a huge knock-on effect in the transfer market.

German outlet Bild report that Jurgen Klopp's side identified the Bayern star Muller a replacement for Philippe Coutinho, who was being heavily pursued by Barcelona.

The La Liga side made no secret of their desire to land the Brazilian following the sale of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain for a world record £199million.

Liverpool would go on to reject a £100million-plus bid from the Catalans, but, according to Bild, only after they failed to land Muller as a replacement after Bayern did not entertain a bid.

Coutinho has been back in action for Liverpool (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Bayern dug their heels in over Muller (Image: REUTERS)

That meant that Barca turned their attention to Borussia Dortmund's Ousmane Dembele who they signing in a £97million move.

The Frenchman has since been ruled out for four months with injury.

Dembele is out injured until 2018 (Image: REUTERS)

Coutinho has since returned to the Liverpool first-team, starting Saturday's 1-1 draw with Burnley and the 2-0 Carabao Cup loss to Leicester last night.

The Brazilian has since promised Reds fans that he will give everything for the club, despite handing in a transfer request as he tried to force through his move to the Nou Camp.

Coutinhi has been getting minutes under his belt (Image: PA Wire)

“Liverpool is a great club worldwide. I’m here and I will give my best as always," he said at the weekend.

“I am in a place that I have always been given respect by everyone and me too respect everyone. I have conquered my space in four, five years and never had any problems with anyone – the fans, the board, my team-mates, the coaching staff.

“That has not changed. As I have said, in life, in every job you get an offer, interested or not. It is all in the past.”

The Reds have now not win in five games and face Leicester again at the weekend, this time in the Premier League.

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